The world of music was profoundly shaped by two iconic artists whose careers began to flourish in the vibrant 1980s: Prince from Minnesota and Michael Jackson from Indiana. Both born in 1958, their paths diverged early as Prince signed his first record deal at 18, ultimately launching his debut album, For You, in 1978. Meanwhile, Jackson was solidifying his career with his brothers in The Jacksons, just a few years away from embracing his solo endeavors with the landmark album Off The Wall in 1979.
Despite their similarities—both emerging as ambitious young men of color from Midwestern backgrounds—they ventured through the music landscape with unique sounds crossing pop, rock, R&B, soul, and blues. Each artist exhibited a fierce ambition, which led to a competitive dynamic that defined much of their respective careers.
Competitive Perfectionists
The Power Shift
As reported by Rolling Stone, a subtle rivalry ignited in 1982, catalyzed by Jackson’s unprecedented success with Thriller, which overshadowed Prince’s blockbuster album, 1999. In a comeback, Prince captured the world’s attention through the 1984 film and soundtrack Purple Rain, so much so that Jackson attended multiple shows during the Purple Rain Tour to analyze Prince’s artistry closely.
Although both men shared many notable moments—some of which hinted at competitive tensions—their history is also marked by peculiar encounters, such as memorable games of ping pong and occasional performances together.
Prince’s Ping-Pong Triumph
A Unique Dance-Off
During the 1986 production of Under The Cherry Moon, Jackson paid a spontaneous visit to Prince. It was during this rendezvous that Prince purportedly invited Jackson for a friendly game of ping pong. The game concluded with Prince solidly defeating Jackson, leading him to boast, “Did you see that? He played like Helen Keller!”
Aside from their ping pong match, the pair notably shared the stage in 1983 at a James Brown concert. Jackson showcased his impeccable dance moves before whispering to Brown about Prince’s presence in the crowd. This prompted Brown to bring Prince onto the stage, where he delivered an unforgettable performance, which included fervent guitar playing and a memorable mishap involving the set design. This incident left Prince feeling embarrassed and, at times, resentful toward Jackson for the exposure.
Collaborative Intent for “Bad”
Lyrics as a Barrier
In an effort to mend their rivalry, Jackson reached out to Prince with an invitation to collaborate on the title track for his pioneering 1987 album, Bad. However, Prince declined the offer, citing discomfort with the song’s opening line. In a reflective interview with MTV, he remarked:
The first line of that song is ‘Your butt is mine.’ Now I’m saying, ‘Who is going to sing that to who? Because you sure ain’t singing it to me and I sure ain’t singing it to you, so right there, we got a problem.’
Despite this playful tension, both artists maintained that their rivalry stemmed more from mutual respect and admiration for each other’s talents than deep-seated animosity.
Mutual Respect Despite Rivalry
The Emotional Undertone
Though not best friends, Prince and Jackson acknowledged each other’s immense contributions to music. Their rivalry was characterized more by dedication to their craft than personal animus. Following Jackson’s unexpected passing in 2009, Prince spoke briefly about him in a 2014 interview with Rolling Stone, stating:
I don’t want to talk about it. I’m too close to it.
This succinct response reveals the depth of their connection and mutual respect, underscoring that beyond their competition, both Prince and Michael Jackson left an indelible mark on the music industry. As we continue to celebrate their legacies, it becomes even clearer how much we still cherish their extraordinary talents.